Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026” or the “PASTOR Act of 2026”.
Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require providers of services to provide patients access to clergy.
Sec. 2 Requiring providers of services to provide patients access to clergy
Section 1866(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)) is amended—
in subparagraph (X), by striking “and” at the end;
in subparagraph (Y), by striking the period and inserting “, and”; and
by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the following new subparagraph:
“(Z) beginning January 1, 2028, upon request of an individual receiving items and services from such provider and notwithstanding any waiver under section 1135, to allow a member of clergy designated by such individual access to such individual, provided that such clergy member adheres to such safety measures and other protocols as may be specified by the Secretary (in consultation with providers of services, States, and religious organizations).”